While U.S. wireless providers are just starting to offer first-generation Windows Mobile Smartphones to their subscribers, their European counterparts are beginning to introduce the next generation of these devices. Orange LTD is the first out of the blocks with its new SPV e200, which is powered by Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 2003 for Smartphone software. As with the Pocket PC version of Windows Mobile 2003, the most important enhancements to the software are to the operating system and other behind-the-scenes functions. However, there are also a number of new features visible to the user.
European wireless providers are already introducing devices using Microsoft’s Windows Mobile 2003 for Smartphone software. The Orange SPV e200, shown here, is one such Smartphone.
Based on Windows CE 4.2: Major operating system update
The first-generation Smartphones have the Windows CE 3.0 operating system (OS) under the hood while Smartphone 2003 is based on CE 4.2. The specific differences are not necessarily obvious to the user, but the new version is more efficient. This means that the Windows Mobile 2003 device is more responsive to the keys and joystick, and provides better battery life.
Windows CE 4.2 also includes the .NET Compact Framework in ROM. This allows software developers to design programs for the Smartphone more easily. Visual Basic and C# (“C-Sharp”) programmers can finally write programs for the Smartphone, making it the most attractive mobile phone platform for enterprise applications. That’s because corporations employ many more Visual Basic programmers than ones that know C++ or Java.
Enhanced “always-on” connectivity
Like the Pocket PCs with integrated phones that are based on Windows Mobile 2003, the new Smartphones provide an always-on data connection to a packet-switched GPRS or 1xRTT network. This allows data to be “pushed” to the phone automatically. Special SMS messages that the user never sees can be used to activate the appropriate program on the phone to receive the data.
For example, users of the latest version of Microsoft’s Exchange Server can receive such SMS messages when the server sends e-mail. The message triggers the Inbox program on the phone to receive the e-mail and alert the user. Similarly, the MSN Messenger program can be running while the phone is off and the user will be notified when a message is received.
Greater security for Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer has also been updated with greater security features such as client-side certificates and the ability to display XML documents. Other new features of Internet Explorer include support for HTML 4.01, Extensible HTML (XHTML), Jscript V5.5, cascading style sheets, and improved imaging capabilities (e.g., animated GIF images).
Bluetooth support—but no Bluetooth
Bluetooth support is also built into the new operating system. However, to utilize it the phone must also be equipped with a Bluetooth radio. While Bluetooth has become extremely popular in Europe, some of the wireless service providers in the U.S. are not yet supporting the technology. Perhaps with the introduction of new automobile models with built-in Bluetooth capability, such as Acura’s TL, service providers will become more open to Bluetooth.
Enhanced Windows Media Player and Jawbreaker
Windows Mobile 2003 for Smartphone includes an enhanced version of Windows Media Player (9.0), which now supports plug-in codecs that let you play more media file formats. In addition, WMA files can now be used for ring tones.
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